Thursday

Need to know: Apalachee needs a win. It doesn’t get easier from here, as the Wildcats play Winder-Barrow Sept. 28, followed by two road trips before hosting Gainesville.

Winder-Barrow at Flowery Branch

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Flowery Branch

2018 Records: Winder-Barrow (1-1), Flowery Branch (2-0)

Series: Flowery Branch leads 4-2

Need to know: Head coach Ed Dudley finally got that elusive first win. Dudley’s offense, led by first-year starting quarterback Jhaydon Sullivan, has another tough outing this week against a Falcons defense that hasn’t surrendered more than 14 points in a game this season.

Class 5A

Clarke Central vs. Thomson

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Athens

2018 records: Clarke Central (2-1), Thomson (1-1)

Series: First meeting

Need to know: The Gladiators offense has leaned on running backs Jonathan Sewell and O’Brien Barnett to great success in 2018. That won’t change Friday night.

Class 4A

Madison County at Hart County

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hartwell

2018 Records: Madison County (1-2), Hart County (0-3)

Series: Hart County leads 31-8

Need to know: Hart County gave up a lot of rushing yards – and a lot of points – last week against Commerce. That’ll surely need to change if the Bulldogs want to continue their winning ways against Madison County.

North Oconee vs. Elberton

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Bogart

2018 Records: North Oconee (2-1), Elberton (2-0)

Series: Tied 2-2

Need to know: The Titans have already shown improvement from coach Tyler Aurandt’s first season, and they’ll look to continue that Friday night.

Oconee County vs. Morgan County

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Watkinsville

2018 Records: Oconee County (2-1); Morgan County (1-2)

Series: Oconee County leads 13-12

Need to know: This marks the seventh straight year the teams have played, with Oconee County riding a four-game winning streak. The teams were in the same Region 8-3A for four of those seasons before the Warriors went up to Class 4A.

Class 3A

East Jackson at Banks County

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Homer

2018 Records: East Jackson (1-1), Banks County (0-2)

Series: Tied 4-4

Need to know: East Jackson has scored 10 points combined in two games, while Banks County hasn’t scored a single point yet. Expect a low-scoring affair when these two sides meet.

Jefferson vs. Southside (S.C.)

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Jefferson

2018 Records: Jefferson (1-1), Southside (2-1)

Series: First meeting

Need to know: The Dragons average just over 211 rushing yards per game, so expect a heavy dose of running backs Colby Clark and Donsha Gaither.

Class A

Athens Academy at Cherokee Bluff

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Flowery Branch

2018 Records: Athens Academy (2-0), Cherokee Bluff (0-3)

Series: First meeting

Need to know: The Spartans rattled off convincing wins over Savannah Christian and Stephens County. Next up is Cherokee Bluff, which has given up 33 or more points in each of its three games and scored only 13 combined points.

Athens Christian vs. Pinecrest Academy

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Athens

2018 Records: Athens Christian (2-1), Pinecrest (0-2)

Series: Pinecrest leads 2-1

Need to know: A home win against struggling Pinecrest would move the Eagles to 3-1 overall, with a matchup with Prince Avenue lingering on Oct. 5.

Prince Avenue Christian vs. Providence Christian

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Bogart

2018 Records: Prince Avenue (3-0), Providence Christian (2-0)

Series: Prince Avenue leads 4-0

Need to know: Prince Avenue looks to continue its dominance over Providence following a week after the Wolverines won convincingly at Wesleyan.

GISA

Bethlehem Christian at Frederica Academy

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: St. Simons Island

2018 Records: Bethlehem (2-1), Frederica (1-2)

Series: Frederica leads 1-0

Need to know: Bethlehem travels to St. Simons Island for only its second matchup all-time against Frederica Academy.

Monsignor Donovan vs. Briarwood Academy

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Athens

2018 Records: Monsignor Donovan (0-2), Briarwood (1-1)

Series: Briarwood leads 3-1

Need to know: Monsignor Donovan hasn’t beaten Briarwood since 2014.

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